title: Effects of estradiol on the metabolism of arachidonic acid by aortas and platelets in rats.
abstract: We have previously reported that estradiol treatment stimulates prostacyclin production by cultured rat aortic smooth muscle cells, through the stimulation of fatty acid cyclooxygenase and prostacyclin synthetase activities. In order to see whether estradiol stimulates the fatty acid cyclooxygenase activity in platelets, intact rats were treated with estradiol, and thromboxane biosynthesis in platelets and prostacyclin production by aortas were investigated. Estradiol significantly stimulates prostacyclin production by aortas. However, no significant effect on thromboxane biosynthesis in platelets is observed. Our present results support the idea that estradiol would be a protective hormone in atherosclerotic heart disease.
mesh_terms: D019377:12-Hydroxy-5,8,10,14-eicosatetraenoic Acid; D015121:6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha; D000818:Animals; D001011:Aorta / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D016718:Arachidonic Acid; D001095:Arachidonic Acids / Q000378:metabolism*; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D011464:Epoprostenol / Q000096:biosynthesis; D004958:Estradiol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D010974:Platelet Aggregation / Q000187:drug effects; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases / Q000378:metabolism; D011460:Prostaglandins F / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats
chemical_list: D001095:Arachidonic Acids; D011460:Prostaglandins F; D016718:Arachidonic Acid; D004958:Estradiol; D015121:6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha; D019377:12-Hydroxy-5,8,10,14-eicosatetraenoic Acid; D011464:Epoprostenol; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases